Blue Ridge Parkway, VA 10/7/2019

All photos are © Marshall Faintich

I got a late start and began birding on the parkway around 9:30 this morning, and did my usual route in reverse. At 3 Ridges Overlook (mm. 13), I saw a few Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and a single Magnolia Warbler.

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Magnolia Warbler

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Magnolia Warbler

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Magnolia Warbler

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Magnolia Warbler

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Magnolia Warbler

Hickory Springs Overlook and the south end of the cirque (mm. 7.5) were quiet, but I got some interesting birds at the center of the cirque near the large granite outcropping.

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First year Cape May Warblers

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Cape May Warbler

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Blue-headed Vireo, Hooded Warbler, and Ruby-crowned Kinglet

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Blue-headed Vireo, Hooded Warbler, and Ruby-crowned Kinglet

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Blue-headed Vireo, Hooded Warbler, and Ruby-crowned Kinglet

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Female Hooded Warbler

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Female Hooded Warbler

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Female Hooded Warbler

I got onto Route 610 at mm. 4, and stopped a short way north when I heard (but did not see) a Pine Warbler, and also heard high-frequency chips of another warbler species. There were at least four Black-throated Blue Warblers, three of which were first fall males showing varying amounts of buff underneath and greenish-brown backs. The fourth one was a female.

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First fall male Black-throated Blue Warbler

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First fall male Black-throated Blue Warbler

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First fall male Black-throated Blue Warbler

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First fall male Black-throated Blue Warbler

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First fall male Black-throated Blue Warbler

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First fall male Black-throated Blue Warbler

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Female Black-throated Blue Warbler

There was another warbler there that might have been the same female, another female, or perhaps a different warbler species, as it doesn't look quite right to me for a Black-throated Blue, but probably is one.

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Female Black-throated Blue Warbler (?)

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Female Black-throated Blue Warbler (?)

I saw several non-warbler species along 610.

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Scarlet Tanager

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Swainson's Thrush

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Yellow-billed Cuckoo

Farther north on 610, I encountered another small warbler flock.

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American Redstart

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Black-throated Green Warbler

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Common Yellowthroat

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First fall Magnolia Warbler

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Blue-headed Vireo

I ended up with about 25 species on the parkway and 610. Not too bad for a late start.


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